TRA and TMZ - the special flight zones

Various flight zones have been introduced to make flights clearer and safer. These include a TRA and a TMZ, which must be observed by the pilot.

TRA - limited in time

A temporary restricted area (TRA) is a flight area that is temporarily restricted. Air traffic is temporarily or permanently restricted in this airspace. This is intended to prevent threats to public safety or order. A TRA is often located near military training areas.

Clearance to fly over is then issued by NOTAM. A NOTAM can also change the vertical extent of the flight restriction area.

TMZ - more transparency for more security

A transponder mandatory zone (TMZ) is a mandatory transponder zone. The use of a transponder is therefore mandatory in this area. A TMZ is usually located near regional airports, as it protects civil air traffic. A TMZ is visible on the pilot's ICAO chart and also indicates the frequencies in which the pilot must remain.

The clearance of this airspace is not required by air traffic control during the day, as this is controlled airspace E.

Basic training pilot license

Both flight zones are part of air traffic control and the basic training of a pilot. You learn about the TMZ and the TRA during training for a private pilot license (PPL). Flugschule Borkum GmbH offers such training at the Oldenburg-Hatten EDWH airfield, among others.